Dungeness – Page 14 – Sequim Daily Photo

Return to slippin’ and slidin’

A couple of weeks ago the exit side of the road through this lookout at the Dungeness Recreation Area was blocked. When we arrived the other day the whole pullout was blocked, as you can see here. This is the entrance.

Erosion at this part of the bluff has picked up since I last showed it to you in June. It’s worth a look for comparison; the change is dramatic.

The fence post I showed you last month is now hanging freely in space. It was very windy when I took this shot yesterday. The fence blew back and forth like a wooden flag.

Slippin’ and slidin’

Another big piece of the bluffs at Dungeness Recreation Area has taken a tumble. The bumpers you see on the right side of this shot are at the edge of a pullout road that passes this spot, bringing the bluff ledge within about five feet (1.5 m.) of the road.

There is virtually nothing beyond the right side of the post here. The sandy soil under the post is starting to crack away and you can see some daylight where the erosion has eaten under the fence on the right.

Clallam County Parks, manager of the recreation area, plans to realign trails and roads away from the bluffs. It looks like their timetables may have to be set in motion sooner than anyone wants. I wish it weren’t so. This is one of the few remaining areas with an unobstructed water view and it’s a nice place to stop.

Western Serviceberry

Serviceberries are in bloom now and they’re gorgeous. They’re a native tree, also known as Saskatoon. In the summer these blossoms become small, dark edible berries.

Bushes all over the Dungeness Recreation area are covered with blossoms. Pretty wonderful.

Feathering a nest

These cattails provide nesting materials for a variety of birds. A perfect avian Home Depot, they’re located not far from where I saw the hummingbird I showed you on Monday. Click here for a post I did that shows you more about this.

Moss art

Moss grows very well around here, especially in winter. And sometimes it even gets artful, as it does here. It has filled in the detailing on a granite gravestone, almost creating a living embellishment.

Names have also grown a mossy filling as “Mother Lucy” and “1851-1906” shows here.

One hundred and twelve years later I wonder if there are any family members still here to view and visit these graves.

Trail fringes

We walked on a nice day a little while back. There was enough new growth around the trail that it was fringed with green. The deciduous trees are slowly putting on this year’s crop of leaves but we’re not there yet.

Port Williams bluff

The bluff at Port Williams is always an interesting spot to visit. A geologist could tell you much of our ancient history from the bands of soils that pile up here. As I’ve mentioned before, bones of woolly mammoths have been found in these eroded bluff materials.